Diagnostic Tests for Liver pain

Diagnostic Test list for Liver pain:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Liver pain includes:

• Physical examination
  • General appearance - looking for jaundice, signs of recent weight loss, physical distress.
  • Inspect the abdomen for generalized distension which may indicate ascites (collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity). If ascites is associated with tender liver may indicate Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic vein thrombosis) or right heart failure
  • Palpate the liver - to assess liver tenderness, size of the liver, to detect liver pulsatility and to feel the liver edge. A tender liver may be due to hepatitis, rapid liver enlargement (due to right heart failure or Budd-Chiari syndrome), hepatocellular cancer or hepatic abscess. A pulsatile liver that is also tender would suggest hepatocellular cancer.
  • Palpate the rest of the abdomen including gallbladder, spleen, kidneys and bowel - e.g. if liver is tender and enlarged and spleen is also enlarged would suggest acute viral hepatitis.
  • Examine lungs and heart system
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count and ESR
  • Electrolytes and renal function tests
  • Liver function tests with Bilirubin level
  • Viral serology for Hepatitis A, B and C
  • CMV, EBV and leptospirosis serology
  • Alpha 1 - fetoprotein will help diagnose primary liver cancer.
  • ANA autoantibodies and smooth muscle antibody, if suspect lupus hepatitis
  • Blood cultures- if there are chills and fever
  • Amoebic fluorescent antibody titre (FAT) is positive in at least 90% of people with liver abscesses due to Entamoeba
• Urine tests
  • Urine analysis and microscopy - Look for Bilirubin present in jaundice.
• Radiological investigations
  • Ultrasound of Upper abdomen which may detect hepatocellular cancer, liver abscess, Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • CT Abdomen may be required for further localization of ultrasound findings
  • Radioisotope scan of liver will show a filling defect of hepatocellular cancer
  • Hepatic venography may demonstrate the obstructed vein in Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • Chest X-ray for evidence of right ventricular heart failure
  • Echocardiogram, to assess valvular disease if suspect right heart failure
• Liver biopsy - may be required to establish diagnosis is some circumstances.
• ECG and cardiac enzymes - to rule out.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Liver pain causes:

• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Liver Health & Hepatitis: Home Testing
  • Home Hepatitis Tests
  • Home Liver Tests
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests
• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits
• Digestive-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Stomach Ulcer Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Test Kits

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